God's Shadow-For Contest

GOD’S SHADOW/for contest There were prayers – hollow, empty – prayers. Oh, the hands were folded, heads bowed, voices muffled in saint-like submission, reverberating the words – following as children do - just a little behind. Prayers of supplication, beseeching forgiveness for the unimaginable sin of being born – in sin. Humble prayers of thanks that “we” were not like “them”, that “we” would be saved by this God of unconditional and unreciprocated love. We prayed “in the shadow of the church”, literally its twin spires towering above us, we prayed in the “belly of the beast” – bright, shiny, gold, frankincense, and murmurs of a past. Silenced before the idled saints frozen in eternal heavenward gestures. I hid the child, protected him, allowed him time to find peace with himself, to learn to trust in the beauty of a flower, touch the truth in solemn strength of twisted Elm, hear the near soundless song of the flowing river. Upon awakening, we joined souls and prayed. Giving thanks for the strength that held us as one, the tenacity to continue to live, courage to know there is a “god” and we are one. I am the shadow of that “god”. John G. Lawless 5/18/2015 submitted to – Prayertime Memories – Poetry Contest sponsor – Isaiah Zerbst